Dental cleaning device

ABSTRACT

An electric toothbrush with a removable brush section having a transponder communicating with a handle portion of the toothbrush via a non-contacting inductive coupling.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/872,075, filed Jun. 18, 2004 now abandoned, which is a continuationof U.S. application Ser. No. 10/241,274, filed Sep. 10, 2002 now U.S.Pat. No. 7,207,080, which claims the benefit under 35 USC §119 of apriority application filed in Germany, serial number 10159395.3, filedDec. 4, 2001. The entire disclosures and contents of each of theseapplications are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an electrical dental cleaning device. Theinvention relates in particular to the handle section of such a dentalcleaning device which has a coupling device for the coupling of variousor different brush sections, a drive mechanism for driving therespectively coupled brush section, and a control device. The inventionfurther relates to the brush sections, particularly brush attachments,for such a handle section.

BACKGROUND

Devices for brushing or cleaning teeth such as electrical toothbrushesor electrical oral irrigators customarily have a grip or a handlesection or handhold to which a variety of cleaning tools such as brushattachments, jet nozzles, interproximal brushes or brush sections areattachable, thus enabling several users to use the dental cleaningdevice with their own, in particular person-related cleaning tools. Suchelectrical toothbrushes are known, for example, from DE 19627752 A1 orEP 0624079 B1.

From DE 299 15 858 U1 a dental cleaning device is known in which each ofthe different toothbrushes can be inserted only into its assignedreceptacle in a console. This then starts the program provided for thisparticular toothbrush. Particularly children find it however difficultto locate the individual opening for insertion of their personaltoothbrush and mating engagement of the plug. Furthermore, this consoleinvolves high complexity of manufacture, considering that it requiresthe provision of a plurality of different receptacles and each of thetoothbrushes has a different plug assigned to its own receptacle.

In a further device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,959, each handtoothbrush is assigned its own accommodating slot in a housing, so thateach toothbrush can be assigned an individual brushing time signal viathe housing. This arrangement is very elaborate from the manufacturingpoint of view without providing for the detection and storage ofuser-specific data of the tooth cleaning operation.

Such dental cleaning devices are capable of improvement on many counts.One problem encountered is in particular that instorage-battery-operated toothbrushes the storage battery may becomedepleted prematurely. This may happen, for example, in cases where thetoothbrush is not properly stowed away in a travel case or the like, sothat the drive mechanism turns on accidentally. Furthermore, it mayhappen that the handle section is not always coupled with the correctbrush attachments, so that as a result of the lack of compatibility thehandle section, for example, the coupling portions, may be damagedparticularly in the area of the drive train, or a proper cleaningfunction is not assured, likewise for lack of compatibility.

Furthermore, dental cleaning devices, namely electrically operatedtoothbrushes comprising a handle section and an attachable brush sectionin which the handle section has in a recess of its housing amechanically actuatable switch which, as the case may be, is covered bya water-tight protective foil such that a switching contact of saidswitch is actuated by means of an extension of the plastic housing ofthe brush section when the brush section is attached to the handlesection, were also launched on the market in the USA in approximately1992 from the company Bausch & Lomb, model Interplak®, e.g., the PB-6.Once the switching contact has been actuated by an attached brushsection, the drive mechanism of the toothbrush can be switched on bymeans of an ON switch on the handhold. These features are providedpresumably for safety reasons because, unlike many other handle sectionson electrical toothbrushes, the drive shaft on the previously mentionedtoothbrush oscillates back and forth in the direction of thelongitudinal axis. The stroke of the shaft is so considerable thatswitching on the handle section without an attached brush section couldlead to risk of injury because the drive shaft makes a stroking movementsimilar to a sewing needle on a sewing machine.

From DE 28 26 008 C2 there is known a switch for actuating an electricaltoothbrush with a permanent magnet arranged on an annular actuatingmember, said annular actuating member being axially displaceablyarranged on the housing. The permanent magnet of the annular actuatingmember activates or deactivates a magnetically sensitive switch, e.g. areed relay, which is arranged in the interior of the housing of thetoothbrush. The annular actuating member can be pulled off the housingof the toothbrush, enabling the housing and the actuating member to becleaned with ease after its removal. Removing the actuating member hasthe simultaneous effect of making it impossible for the electricaltoothbrush to be switched on, thus preventing a toothbrush with theactuating member detached from switching on by itself when it is beingtransported in a case and the batteries or storage batteries becomingdepleted accidentally.

The above-mentioned features for providing a certain travel securityfunction have not proven a success in practice however because in thecase of the Interplak® solution considerable force is required to attachand detach the brush section to and from the handle section in order toactuate the switching contact provided in the handle section. A furtherproblem is that the switching contacts become dirty and that a greateffort is needed to produce a dirt- or water-proof covering over theswitching contact. The detachable switching ring in patent specificationDE 28 26 008 C2 is intended likewise to perform a security function whentraveling, but here there is a problem in that the detached switchingring can get lost, particularly on journeys, and that it is thenimpossible to set the handhold in operation even with full batteries orstorage batteries. Furthermore, these known solutions for providingsecurity when on journeys display little flexibility as regards othercomfort functions such as the automatic adaptation of a handle section'soperating parameters to a specific brush section or the user-specificcollection and storage of cleaning data or the like.

From EP 0 848 921 A1 there is also known a brush for DIY use and amanufacturing method therefor, in which a tag as data memory isirremovably fastened in the brush itself, namely between a bristlecarrier and a cup-shaped holding element. It is then intended to use thetag to store data concerning safety standards, maximum speed, country oforigin, manufacturer's brand, article number, connection diameter and,for example, a barcode that can be read by an electronic reading systemat the cash-desk of a DIY store, for example. The tag can be made inparticular of aluminum or a heat-resistant plastic material because thebrushes are exposed to very high temperatures during use. This tag isevidently an aluminum or plastic disk that has a surface loaded withoptically readable information and is irremovably connected with thebrush body. The disadvantage of such codes, however, is that they have arather small storage capacity and cannot be re-programmed. Theirreadability also assumes that the code is freely accessible in opticalterms, which is not the case in all applications.

Further, there is known a multiplicity of electronic article securitysystems in which security tags comprising, for example electricalresonant circuits or soft magnetic sensor strips, are affixed to thearticles and excited by electromagnetic fields in gates installed inshop exit areas. If the articles have not been paid for, i.e., thesecurity tags are still active, a signal is detected and an alarmemitted. Pertinent details can be found, for example, in the article“Der groβe Lauschangriff auf Ladendiebe” by Gieselher Herzer,Physikalische Blätter 57 (2001), No. 5, pages 43 to 48.

A sub-case of these systems are the systems referred to as RFID (radiofrequency identification) systems, which find application onnoncontacting chip cards and, more recently, on motor vehicle keys orrefuse bins in order, in the latter case, to enable invoices to beissued according to the actual emptying of the bins.

Such systems are known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 5,812,065, WO00/42584, U.S. Pat. No. 6,177,870, WO 00/39768, DE 199 53 651 A1 or WO98/24527, the system disclosed in the last mentioned specification beingused in an electronic toy to exchange data between a figure, which isequipped with a transponder, and a base unit, which is equipped with areader.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved handlesection of an electrical dental cleaning device and improved brushsections therefor, which avoid the disadvantages of the prior art,develop it further and afford additional advantages. In particular theinvention aims to provide a comfortable safety device with thepossibility of activating further specific functions and/or preventingimproper use of the dental cleaning device.

In a handle section of an electrical dental cleaning device comprising acoupling device for the mechanical coupling of a brush section, a drivemechanism for the brush section and a control function for the drivemechanism, said control function including an operation inhibitingfunction that can be activated and deactivated by an enabling functionin particular of the brush section, this object is accomplishedessentially in that the handle section includes a reading function and acoil as coupling function for the non-contacting transmission andreading of one or more items of information or data of the enablingfunction, the inhibiting function being activated or deactivated inresponse to an output signal of the reading function. The advantage ofthese features over the prior art is that they enable comfortablehandling when coupling and decoupling the handle section and the brushsection, eliminate the need for mechanical actuation by the brushsection of components provided in the handle section foractivating/deactivating the inhibiting function, and lay the basis forimplementing further user-friendly functions. Furthermore, it isunnecessary to remove switch mechanisms or other components from thehandle section in order to achieve a security function during travel. Itis noted below that the terms “handle section” of an electrical dentalcleaning device, “brush section” or the like may not refer only to anelectrically operated toothbrush but also to other electrically operateddental cleaning devices such as oral irrigators, interproximal cleanersor the like, in which a handle section is adapted to be coupled to acleaning section which is used either by a specific user or is adisposable item. To this extent the terms brush section, brushattachment, plug-in brush, spare brush are interchangeable with theterms cleaning section, jet nozzle and interproximal cleaner.

According to one embodiment of the invention it is an advantage for thereading function and/or coupling function to be activatable via aswitch-on function of the handle section, in particular a switch-onfunction for the drive mechanism.

It is also expedient for the reading function or coupling function totransfer and read data, provided the brush section is mechanicallycoupled to the handle section.

In this context, it is an advantage that provision is made for thecoupling function to operate inductively.

The coil is preferably arranged in a portion of the handle sectionadjacent to the coupling device or also in the area of the couplingdevice itself.

It is also expedient for the coil to have one or several turns thatencompass or enclose a longitudinal axis of the handle section,preferably an axis of rotation of a drive shaft driven by the drivemechanism in the handle section.

Provision is also made for the turn area of the coil to define with arotary or longitudinal axis of the handle section an included angle ofbetween about 140 degrees and about 40 degrees, preferably 90 degreesplus or minus 10 degrees.

In an exceptional case it may also be expedient for the enablingfunction to be associated with the handle section itself, in particularis fastened in or on a housing of the handle section.

Furthermore it is possible, by means of the drive mechanism, for a driveshaft to be set in at least one alternating rotary motion about an axisof rotation or one rotary motion about an axis of rotation and/or in aswivel motion about a swivel axis positioned essentially perpendicularto the axis of rotation.

Advantageously, the reading function, the control function and theoperation inhibiting function are part of an ASIC. In some cases ofapplication it may also be expedient however for these functions to beimplemented as discrete functions or, as far as possible, for them to beimplemented by means of suitable software in a micro-controller or thelike.

To accomplish the object identified in the foregoing, the brush sectionwith a drivable brush head as well as a mating coupling device forcoupling mechanically to a handle section comprising a coupling device,a drive mechanism and an operation inhibiting function of an electricaltoothbrush, with an enabling function associated with the brush sectionfor activating or deactivating the inhibiting function is characterizedin that the enabling function of the brush section comprises anon-contacting data carrier and a coil as a coupling means for thenon-contacting transmission of one or more items of data.

The data carrier or the coupling means of the brush section isactivatable preferably via a switch-on means of the handle section or aswitch-on function associated therewith, preferably for switching on thedrive mechanism.

The data carrier or the coupling means preferably transmits dataprovided the brush section is mechanically coupled to the handlesection.

It is an advantage for the coupling means to operate inductively.

The coil is preferably arranged in a portion of the mating couplingdevice or in a portion of the brush section adjacent thereto.

The coil preferably has one or several turns which encompass or enclosea longitudinal axis of the brush section or an axis of rotation of aplug-on shaft in the brush section.

The turn area of the coil preferably defines, together with a rotary orlongitudinal axis of the brush section, an included angle of betweenabout 140 and 40 degrees, preferably 90 degrees plus or minus 10degrees.

It is an advantage in this connection for a profiled sleeve to beprovided on the brush section, which sleeve is received in a tubularshank of the brush section, and for the read-out/transmission functionor the parts or components performing this function to be arranged onthe profiled sleeve or connected therewith. Furthermore, the shank ofthe brush section can also receive a plug-on shaft.

The non-contacting data carrier may be constructed as a transponder,preferably a passive transponder without its own energy supply.

Provision is advantageously made for the transponder to have a datamemory for digital data, preferably with a storage capacity of between10⁰ bit and 10⁴ bit, approximately.

The present invention is also directed to an electrical dental cleaningdevice with a handle section in combination with a brush section of thetype described in the foregoing. In this arrangement the datatransmitted between brush section and handle section may include notonly data for activating the enabling function but also dataspecifically for the individual brush section, for operating parametersfor the operation of the brush section or handle section or specificallyfor the individual user.

Advantageously, the digital data may be subjected to a coding/detectingfunction.

Provision is furthermore made for one or more data items to betransmitted from the brush section to the handle section and/or viceversa.

In some embodiments, energy is suitably transmitted from the handlesection to the brush section to activate the passive transponder.

Provision is preferably made for the handle section and the brushsection to be inductively coupled by means of the coils for the exchangeof data or for the transmission of data and/or transmission of energy.

According to another aspect of the invention, on a handle section of anelectrical dental cleaning device, provision is advantageously made fora control device having an operation inhibiting device that can bedeactivated via non-contacting data exchange or data transmission by anenabling means on the cleaning tool. The cleaning tool of the typeinitially referred to possesses an enabling means to deactivate theinhibiting device of the handle section via non-contacting data exchangeor data transmission between the brush section and the handle section.These features thus provide protection against unintentional switchingon of the dental cleaning device. The drive mechanism of the handlesection can only be switched on when a compatible cleaning toolproviding an enabling function is attached to the handle section and thehandle section's inhibiting function is deactivated as the result.Unintentional switching on in a travel case or the like can easily beprevented by removing the cleaning tool from the handle section.Unintentional premature depletion of the drive's storage battery is thusimpossible. Additional design or mechanical approaches for implementinga switch-on lock, for example on the switch of the handle section, canbe rendered unnecessary. Provision can be advantageously made for theinhibiting device to be deactivated solely by the enabling device of thecleaning tool, particularly only when the cleaning tool is properlycoupled to the handle section. This can be achieved in that the enablingdevice on the cleaning tool and a detecting device for the enablingdevice on the handle section are constructed and coordinated such thatthe enabling device is effective preferably in a predeterminedorientation and/or position relative to the detecting device and henceto the handle section. To prevent the handle section, particularly thedrive train or its coupling, from being damaged by plugging onunsuitable brush attachments, the enabling device can have an additionalcode or transmit coded data by means of which the cleaning tool isidentifiable. The handle section thus has a coding/detecting device ordecoding means which detects or decodes the code of the respectivelyattached cleaning tool. The inhibiting device is only deactivated whenthe correct code is present and a corresponding signal is produced. Thehandle section thus detects the individual cleaning tool attached atthat moment and controls the enabling of the drive mechanism accordingto the detected cleaning tool. The code can be queried generally atpredetermined intervals. In a particular embodiment of the invention thecoding/detecting device is only activated when an ON switch of thehandle section, for example of the electric drive mechanism, isactuated. This has the advantage that the current consumption of therequired electronic components is minimized. To switch on the dentalcleaning device the user actuates the ON/OFF switch of the controldevice or electric motor as usual. However, the electric motor or drivemechanism is not directly set in motion by actuating the switch butfirst the coding and/or detecting device is activated, which then setsthe motor of the handle section in operation provided a compatible andsuitably coded brush attachment is coupled to the handle section.Ultimately, therefore, activating the coding and/or detecting device bymeans of the ON/OFF switch sets the drive mechanism of the handlesection only indirectly in operation, namely when the enabling elementof the brush section deactivates the inhibiting device of the handlesection. If no brush section is attached or coupled to the handlesection or if there is a non-compatible brush section on the handlesection, the coding and/or detecting device will not detect a suitablecode when the ON/OFF switch of the handle section is actuated, or theenabling element missing from the brush attachment will be unable todeactivate the inhibiting device of the handle section so that in thiscase the handle section of the electric motor driven toothbrush cannotbe put in operation. One of the advantages afforded by providing forsuch activation of the coding and/or detecting device by means of theON/OFF switch is that the coding and/or detecting device needs to besupplied with electrical current preferably only when the switch of thehandle section is switched on or off, being otherwise inactive orpassive. It is also possible of course to activate the coding and/ordetecting device at regular or irregular intervals during operation ofthe toothbrush in order to check the presence of a compatible, that is,correctly coded brush attachment, also when the switch is not beingswitched on or off. This is a preferable possibility to correct amis-detection of a brush attachment. If, for whatever reasons, thehandle section was switched on by the device without a brush sectionattached (with the switch actuated), e.g., due to a temporary electronicmalfunction or strong fields of interference, the handle section can beswitched off again with the next activation of the device. If, when thedental cleaning operation is over, the ON/OFF switch is actuated againin order to switch off the drive mechanism of the handle section, thedrive mechanism will be directly stopped by this actuation and, ifapplicable, the inhibiting device deactivated so that when the ON/OFFswitch of the handle section is switched on again subsequently thedescribed process can be repeated. Furthermore, the coding and/ordetecting device is constructed to operate in non-contacting fashion.This has the advantage of avoiding interference due to soiled contactfaces or wear as a result of frequent attaching and detaching orelaborate sealing measures. It is also possible for the handle sectionto comprise a signal receiver receiving from the cleaning tool a codedsignal or a signal deactivating the inhibiting device. The handlesection may also be equipped with a signal transmitter sending aninterrogation or activation signal to the enabling function of thecleaning tool, whereupon the latter is activated energetically and sendsthe coded signal or enabling signal back. The emission of the codedsignal or enabling signal by the enabling function of the cleaning toolmay take place by a corresponding active or passive signal transmitteror a suitable acting member.

The coding or configuration of the enabling element of the cleaningtool(s) may be implemented by incorporating it in the cleaning toolitself or in a portion or part of the cleaning tool as, for example, acolored ring or profiled ring of the type described, for example, in WO99/20202, which shall be deemed to be incorporated in the disclosurecontent of the present application by express reference, or in acorresponding device.

A further approach includes the provision of an electrically operatingdetecting device for detecting an electrical coding, meaning thepresence of the enabling element of the respectively coupled cleaningtool. The cleaning tool sends a not coded or a coded electrical signalto the handle section, meaning to a signal receiver provided thereon,thus enabling the respective cleaning tool to be identified. It is alsopossible for the handle section to send initially an interrogationsignal to the cleaning tool which is coded or modified by the cleaningtool and sent back subsequently. Provision can also be made for atransmit or radio device for detecting the respectively attachedcleaning tool by means of electromagnetic waves. In particular atransponder may be associated with the cleaning tool. The handle sectioninitially emits electromagnetic waves for energy supply to the generallypassive transponder. The transponder stores the energy and sends anindividual ID back to a detector in the handle section which detects theID and correspondingly identifies the cleaning tool and deactivates theinhibiting function.

The cleaning tool is thus characterized by the provision of a magnetic,electrical and/or electro-magnetically operating coding device or anenabling element of this type. Another characteristic feature mayinclude the provision of a signal receiver for receiving a signal fromthe dental cleaning device and of a signal transmitter for transmittinga coded signal to the dental cleaning device, there being insertedpreferably a coding device between the signal receiver and the signaltransmitter for coding the received signal. The coding device or theenabling element is preferably constructed as a separate componentsuitable for detachment from the remaining part of the cleaning tool orfor replacement. The advantage thereby achieved is that the cleaningtool has to be manufactured in only one embodiment. By mounting theseparate coding device or enabling function the cleaning tools are codedon an individual basis and are assignable to a particular type of handlesection. However, the coding device constructed as enabling element mayalso be integrated in the cleaning tool when it is desirable to providesolely a travel security function or detect incompatible cleaning tools.The coding device or enabling element is arranged preferably in the areaof the connection or coupling between the cleaning tool and the handlesection. This facilitates the reading of the coding, meaning thedetection of the enabling element by the recognition device on thehandle section. In particular, the enabling element or coding device maybe integrated in a ring arranged at the end of the cleaning tool closeto the handle section, being in particular snap-fitted thereto bypositive engagement therewith. The various configurations of therecognition devices may be provided singularly or in combination. Thesame applies to the various configurations of the coding device orenabling element on the cleaning tool.

Apart from protecting the handle section against inadvertent turning onand improper use of incompatible cleaning tools, a coding of thecleaning tools and its detection by the handle section may be utilizedto advantage for performing further functions. In this context,provision can be made for the handle section to control one orpreferably several functions of the dental cleaning device in dependenceupon the respective cleaning tool detected. Assuming that each user ofthe handle section has his or her own cleaning tool, particularly thecontrol device of the handle section may establish automatically, byreferring to the detected coding on the cleaning tool, which user iscurrently using the dental cleaning device. There is no need on theuser's part to inform the dental cleaning device of its current user asby pressing a button and the like. The operating parameters of thedevice can be adapted to the individual user automatically. This resultsin a maximum of user friendliness. In particular the control device iscapable of adapting operating parameters such as cleaning frequency,cleaning speed and cleaning period or threshold value or recommendedrange of application pressure automatically to the individual useridentified. A variety of user profiles can be set and stored, one ofwhich is used by the control device after, at the beginning of cleaning,the coding of the cleaning tool being currently used has been detectedand the respective user has been established. To this effect the codingand/or detecting device has issued a corresponding signal to the controldevice. Where electrical toothbrushes are used, it is possible, forexample, for the motor speed to be reduced from the usual speed foradults when a child is the user, so that a gentler cleaning operation isperformed for the child. In addition, the control device may vary,responsive to a signal from the coding and/or detecting device, theduration of a timer according to the user identified, setting the timerto two minutes for children and to three minutes for adults, forexample. The type of timer signal could also be modified, as byselecting a tune for children and a buzzer tone for adults. A furthersolution offering itself is to store data for new timer tunes in thebrush attachment and transmit them from the brush attachment to thehandle section where they may also be stored, as the case may be.

It is also possible to store, process and indicate as on a displayuser-specific data such as cleaning frequency, cleaning speed, cleaningperiod, time interval between cleaning operations or applicationpressure automatically in response to a corresponding signal from thedetecting device. This also results in enhanced user comfort.

The handle section hence detects, i.e., identifies, the individual userindirectly by referring to the cleaning tool used or its coding.Provision may also be made for a specific function control in dependenceupon the particular type of cleaning tool used. For instance, operatingparameters of the handle section may be varied automatically when abrush attachment with specific properties such as high or low hardnessis used. Equally, another operating program may be run when a cleaningtool of different type as, for example, an interproximal cleaning tool,a tool for gum massage or a tongue cleaner is attached to the handlesection. Rotational frequency, recommended cleaning period, drivingmotion, cleaning frequency, cleaning speed, application pressurethreshold value, etc. can be suitably adapted in response to theindividual and/or person-related exchangeable cleaning tool.

Still further, by identifying an individual cleaning or brushing tool orrefill unmistakably it is possible to establish its state of wearprecisely, for example, by evaluating the history of this particularcleaning tool, in particular the time of past uses. Where cleaning toolswith chemical additives are used, their “use by” date can be identifiedby the date of manufacture contained in the coding. Predeterminedcleaning or maintenance intervals can be indicated.

According to a preferred embodiment an RFID (radio frequencyidentification) reading device is provided in the handle section of thetoothbrush in order to implement the enabling function, a reading devicebeing understood to be the detecting device for the data of atransponder provided in the brush section and transmitted innon-contacting manner. The RFID reading device and the transponder orsome other non-contacting data carrier each have a coupling element,which can be a coil or also a microwave antenna for example, wherebydata, clock pulses or energy are exchanged via these coupling elementsbetween the reading device and the non-contacting data carrier. It isthus possible, by means of the reading device, which is also referred toas a transceiver (transmitter/receiver) to receive data or informationfrom the transponder. Conversely, it is also possible to use the readingdevice to write date into the transponder. Thus, for example, thepossibility exists to write into the transponder data concerning theuser of the individual brush section or also data concerning the periodof cleaning or use for an individual brush section so that when acertain maximal cleaning period has elapsed the user can be reminded,for example, to replace the brush section with a new one. Generally,energy is transmitted from the reading device to the transponder whenthe transponder is of the passive type, meaning a transponder without anenergy supply of its own. The energy transmitted from the reading deviceto the transponder is then used for activation of the transponder. Inthe event of an active transponder being used, meaning a transponderwith its own energy supply, for example a button cell as a battery orthe like, it will be understood, of course, that the transmission ofenergy to activate the transponder is not necessary. An inductive ormagnetic coupling is preferably provided in the given case forelectrical dental cleaning devices as an element for the non-contactingcoupling of the reading device and transponder. In the relevantliterature such couplings are referred to as inductive radio systems orinductively coupled short range devices. The operating frequency in thegiven case of application preferably lies at 13.56 MHz. The transponderitself can be configured as a 1-bit or multi-bit transponder. Thetransmission of information or data between the transponder and thereading device is preferably performed by means of a load modulation inthe transponder, for which purpose a load resistor is switched on or offin the transponder at a cycle frequency or certain pulse train, thusproducing a reaction or feedback in the reading device via the inductivecoupling, enabling the data to be transmitted from the transponder tothe reading device and vice versa.

According to another aspect of the invention, the enabling element orenabling function on the cleaning tool for deactivating the operationinhibiting device or function can be configured in the simplestembodiment of the coding and/or detecting device or function in suchmanner that only the presence or absence (1-bit information) of areplacement brush on the handle section is detectable. To this effect,for example, an acting member may be arranged in the brush whichcorresponds with a reacting member in the handle section, in such mannerthat with the cleaning tool and the handle section in coupled conditionthe reacting member receives from the acting member a preferably digitalsignal and deactivates, for example, the inhibiting device provided, sothat the handle section and hence also the cleaning tool can be set inoperation by means of the drive mechanism. This provides a simple travelsecurity function for the handle section preventing the handle sectionfrom operating when the cleaning tool with its acting member is notcoupled thereto as described above. Accordingly it is sufficient todecouple the cleaning tool from the handle section to activate thetravel security function. Further steps for blocking, for example, theON/OFF switch of the handle section or any other devices are notnecessary. It is also helpful to arrange such an acting member in thecleaning tool, which member, in coupled condition, corresponds orcommunicates with a reacting member in the handle section so thatoperation of the handle section with incompatible cleaning tools can beprevented, because the manufacturer does not as a rule equip suchincompatible cleaning tools with an acting member that would be capableof communicating with the reacting member of the handle section.Mechanical problems and risks incurred by the use of incompatible brushattachments can be eliminated. This represents a coding and/or detectingdevice or function in its simplest form, it is of relativelystraightforward construction and permits merely a decision to be made asto whether a cleaning tool is coupled to the handle section or whetherthe cleaning tool coupled to the handle section is compatible.

For exceptional situations provision may also be made for the actingmember typically provided in the cleaning tool, for example, atransponder or the like or the coding device to be made available to theend user as a separate, isolated part or to provide it on the handlesection itself. This approach offers itself, for example, when the enduser is already in possession of a handle section equipped with anoperation inhibiting device but has a household supply of brushing orcleaning tools available which are not equipped with an enabling elementor an acting member for deactivation of the inhibiting function of thehandle section or handhold. To assure usability of these typically olderreplacement cleaning tools which, while being mechanically compatiblewith the more recent handhold, do not have as yet an enabling elementwhich would be suited for communication with, and deactivation of, theinhibiting device provided in the handle section, a meaningful approachmay therefore be to make the enabling element or the acting member ortransponder available to the end user as a separate component, providingfor these exceptional situations a fastening device on the handlesection to fasten the enabling element there. This makes it possible,for example, for the end user to fasten this enabling element or actingmember directly to the handle section or handhold equipped with theinhibiting device, as on the exterior of the housing in the area of thereacting member of the handle section, and to deactivate for suchspecial or exceptional cases the inhibiting device of the handle sectionby arranging the acting member on the handle section itself and not onthe cleaning tool. As a result, the handle section is also operable withcleaning tools which, while being mechanically compatible, are not asyet equipped with an enabling function or an acting member communicatingwith the inhibiting device. This solution may also be contemplated whenfor cost reasons, for example, not all of the replacement cleaning toolscompatible or mechanically mating with the handle section or handholdare equipped with such an enabling element, a coding device or an actingmember. It will be understood, of course, that the solution involvingthe fastening of the enabling element directly to the handle section asby its user is an exceptional situation, and that as a rule the enablingelement should be arranged on the brush section or cleaning section.

Still further, the coding/detecting device may also be configured so asto enable the coupling of a cleaning tool allowing for a fewpossibilities of distinction of cleaning tools (multi-bit information).While the coding and/or detecting device or function initially describedallows, for example, only a yes/no decision, that is, a decision as towhether or not a compatible cleaning tool is coupled to the handlesection, a modified coding and/or detecting device or function allowing,for example, the identification of two, four or six different codings ofthe cleaning tool enables further functions to be performed in additionto the travel security function. Thus, for example, it is possible forthe handle section to identify whether a toothbrush designed for adults(hard bristles) or a toothbrush designed for children (soft bristles) iscoupled to the handle section, whether an interproximal cleaner is usedin lieu of a toothbrush, or also to distinguish between otherparameters. Where applicable, the respectively detected coding can beused for selectively driving the control device for the drive mechanismcontrolling, for example, the speed of the drive such as the rotationalfrequency, or the recommended cleaning period or the like. In the eventof provision being made for a coding or a coding and/or detecting deviceor function with few (between about two and about ten) possibilities ofdistinction, it is however not possible as yet to identify an individualcleaning tool from a million of commercially available cleaning tools.With these limited possibilities of distinction it is at best possibleto identify a special type of cleaning tool (child toothbrush, adulttoothbrush, interproximal brush, dental flosser, each configured as anattachment to the handle section) and to make a distinction between afew individualized cleaning or brushing tools.

When it is desired to detect with the coding and/or detecting device orfunction every single individual cleaning tool produced by themanufacturer which is adapted to be coupled to the handle section as acompatible part, allowance need be made for a multiplicity ofpossibilities of distinction (multi-bit information) in the range fromabout 106 to about 1012, for which purpose a transponder or similarelectronic device is typically used. In this case the identification ofan individual cleaning tool supplied by the manufacturer and coupled tothe handle section is possible. In addition to the possibilitiespreviously mentioned in connection with simpler coding solutions, thisprovides the prerequisite for the ability to determine, for example, thedegree of wear of the cleaning tool more accurately by evaluating thetool history. Where replacement cleaning tools with chemical additivesare used, the date of manufacture indicated in the coding enables “useby” dates to be identified or predetermined cleaning or maintenanceintervals of the cleaning tool to be indicated or complied with.

Regardless of how simple or complex the coding of the cleaning tool andthe coding and/or detecting device or function, the enabling functionfor the inhibiting function on the handle section assures in each case atravel security function by decoupling the in particular compatiblecleaning tool from the handle section, thereby preventing operation ofthe handle section. Setting the handle section in operation is likewiseprevented with any one of these coding solutions, irrespective ofwhether a 1-bit or multi-bit solution is employed, provided the cleaningtool does not have a coding or enabling element in the first place. Whensuch a cleaning tool which is not coded or not equipped with an enablingelement is coupled to the handle section, the reacting member,transmitter, receiver or similar reading device positioned in the handlesection is unable to communicate with the acting member, receiver,transmitter, transponder or similar device not provided in theincompatible cleaning tool, so that precisely as in the case of acleaning tool which is compatible but not coupled to the handle section,the presence of this incompatible cleaning tool is not recognized on thehandle section, as a result of which the handle section cannot be set inoperation due to the absence of the enabling element and the attendantlack of possible deactivation of the inhibiting device.

In the basically most straightforward embodiment of the coding of thecleaning tool or the coding and/or detecting device or function in thehandle section of the electric dental cleaning device, care has to betaken only to ensure that the coding and/or detecting device or functionin the handle section is in a position to recognize whether or not aproper, i.e., compatible cleaning tool is coupled to the handle section.If such a proper, i.e., compatible cleaning tool is not coupled to thehandle section, the handle section cannot be set in operation, becausethe cleaning tool has no associated enabling element suitable fordeactivation of an inhibiting device provided in the handle section. Bycontrast, when a compatible cleaning tool equipped with the enablingelement or the proper coding is coupled to the handle section, it is notlater than on actuation of the ON/OFF switch on the handle section thatthe presence of the proper coding or of the enabling element will bedetected by means of a detecting device in the handle section, causingdeactivation of the inhibiting device and setting the handle section inoperation, so that the cleaning end, for example, the brush head of thecleaning tool, is set in operation by the drive mechanism of the handlesection.

The present invention also relates to a method of operating anelectrical tooth cleaning or tooth brushing device comprised of a handlesection and a cleaning tool adapted to be attached or coupled thereto,as for example, a brush attachment or the like, wherein the handlesection and the cleaning tool communicate with each other in coupledcondition or transmit or exchange data in non-contacting fashion, ordevices being provided in the handle section which are in a position todetect whether a cleaning tool is coupled to the handle section and/orwhether the cleaning tool coupled to the handle section is a cleaningtool compatible with the handle section. When no cleaning tool iscoupled to the handle section, this information is used for suppressingan activation of the electric drive of the handle section as by means ofthe ON switch provided on the handle section. This may be accomplishedby an operation inhibiting device in the handle section. Hence it is notpossible to set the handle section in operation with the cleaning toolnot coupled or attached thereto, whereby a comfortable travel securityfunction is provided. A further feature characteristic of the method isthat the cleaning tool includes an enabling function signaling to adetecting device arranged in the handle section that the cleaning toolis coupled to the handle section and the inhibiting device can bedeactivated so that the dental cleaning appliance can be set inoperation by turning on the electric drive. If, however, the cleaningtool is not equipped with such an enabling element, even in coupledcondition of cleaning tool and handle section the drive of the handlesection cannot be activated because in the absence of an enablingelement on the cleaning tool it has to be assumed that a cleaning toolincompatible with the handle section is involved.

Further embodiments of the method also include the step of coding thedifferent cleaning tools to be coupled to the handle section on aperson-specific, cleaning-tool-specific or similar basis, hence enablingthe handle section or handhold to be informed, via a correspondingcoding/detecting device, not only of the coupled or non-coupledcondition of a cleaning tool or a compatible cleaning tool but also ofthe type of cleaning tool used or the individual using the cleaningtool, so that corresponding parameters or also operating parameters ofthe handle section can be set or stored as person- and/orcleaning-tool-specific data. These individual approaches are explainedin detail within the scope of the description of the devices and alsopertain to the present method. It will be understood that the terms“operation inhibiting device” and “coding and/or detecting device ormeans” or “recognition device” as well as the terms “enabling element”and “coding device or coding means or device and function” are used assynonyms and may be used interchangeably.

Further objects, advantages, features and application possibilities ofthe present invention will become apparent from the subsequentdescription of embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical toothbrush having a handlesection and a brush attachment attachable thereto.

FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the handle sectionof the electrical toothbrush of FIG. 1, showing its housing and,arranged therein, the drive motor with gearing and drive shaft, thestorage battery for the drive motor, and the charging module for thestorage battery.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic views of an electrical toothbrush having abrush attachment with a transponder adhesive-bonded thereto orintegrated therein, and a corresponding detecting device for thenon-contacting transmission of data in the handle section.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the toothbrush of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional detail view of a toothbrush similar to FIGS. 3 and4, showing the arrangement of a transponder chip in a coding ringprovided at the end of the brush attachment, and a transmitter coil anda receiver coil together with an associated electronic evaluation devicein the handle section, with the brush attachment and the handle sectionbeing shown in coupled condition.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the handlesection with the housing removed therefrom.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the forward portion of afurther embodiment of the handle section with the housing removedtherefrom.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a further embodiment of thecoupling end of an embodiment of the handle section.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the handle section of FIG. 7, withthe section plane being arranged approximately in the region of the coilsubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis or axis of rotationof the drive shaft.

FIG. 10 is a partial view of an embodiment of the brush attachment,showing the wall of the shank partially broken away in the area of aprofiled sleeve which is shown in section.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the brush attachment of FIG.10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the brush attachment of FIG. 10 inthe region of the coil, with the section plane being arrangedessentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis or axis of rotation.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the profiled sleeve showingtransponder and coil fitted thereto and the adjoining plug-on shaft.

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the profiled ring with transponder andcoil, shown partly withdrawn from the shank of the brush attachment.

FIG. 14B is a view of the brush attachment showing the coil wound aboutthe shank or tube.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the profiled ring with transponder and coiland portions of the plug-on shaft of the brush attachment.

FIG. 16 is a view of the arrangement of FIG. 15, but turned through anangle of about 90 degrees.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the arrangement of FIG. 15, but turnedthrough an angle of about 180 degrees.

FIG. 18 is a representation similar to FIG. 5, showing a modifiedarrangement of the coils and ferrite bodies being provided to improvethe coupling factor of the coils.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view, in the form of a block diagram, of thecontrol device with reading device, electronic evaluating unit andoperation inhibiting device as component parts of the handle section,and the transponder as a component part of the brush attachment, withthe handle section and the brush attachment being coupled forcommunication.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The electrical toothbrush shown in the Figures has a handle section 10with a closed housing 26 accommodating, among other components and asillustrated in FIG. 2, in a manner known in the art an electric motor22, a power supply, in particular a storage battery 24 adapted to becoupled to a charging station through a charging module 28 disposed atthe bottom, and a control device or controller 18 which may include aprinted circuit board with a microprocessor or an ASIC or otherelectrical components. Adapted for coupling engagement with the end ofthe handle section 10 is a brush attachment 20 or replacement brushserving as brushing or cleaning tool which, as the case may be, can becolor coded for its specific user. By means of a coupling device 30 thebrush attachment 20 can be mechanically coupled to the handle section 10in order to transmit the driving motion of the electric motor to thebrush head 14 of the brush attachment 20 via a drive shaft 16 mounted inthe handle section 10. The coupling device 30 which may be made of oneor several parts or portions comprises a positive- orfrictional-engagement element for positioning the cleaning tool body inits proper location and, in addition, a drive coupling which transmitsthe driving motion of the drive to the brush head 14 of the brushattachment 20. Protruding from the end of the handle section 10 is adrive shaft 16 adapted to be driven in a rotating oscillating orrotating fashion by the drive motor 22 via a gearing 12 in a mannerequally known in the art, forming an axis of rotation 72. The driveshaft 16 has a coupling portion 32 adapted to receive by positive orfrictional engagement therewith a complementary coupling portion of aplug-on shaft 62 arranged in the cleaning tool 20, so that the drivingmotion is transmitted, enabling the brush head 14 of the brushattachment to be driven in an alternating oscillating manner,oscillating for example at a swivel angle in the range of between plusor minus 10 degrees and plus or minus 60 degrees and at a frequency inthe range from 40 to 150 Hz, for example, with an amplitude of between0.05 mm and 2 mm and a frequency in the range from about 100 Hz to 400Hz, etc. about an axis of rotation 72 and/or swivel axis 58. Details ofthe mechanical coupling and the drive or the driving motion or thestructural concept of handle section and brush attachment are disclosedin applicant's publications WO 91/07117 (05544), WO 94/12121 (05824), WO99/20202 (06210), WO 98/01083 (06107), WO 98/47444 (06176), which arehereby incorporated in the disclosure content of the present patentapplication by express reference.

The control device 18 has an operation inhibiting device 36 orinhibiting means operating, for example, electronically, which inhibitsthe drive of the handle section 10, particularly the electric motor 22,and enables the drive or permits switching on of the electric motor 22by means of an ON switch 56 on the handle section 10 only when or aftera compatible brush attachment 20 is attached to the handle section 10.The electronic operation inhibiting device 36 is activated anddeactivated by means of an enabling element 38 or an enabling functionprovided on the brush attachment 20. The enabling means or the enablingelement 38 can have a coding as a so-called electronic key.

To identify the respectively attached brush attachment 20, provision ismade on the handle section 10 for a coding/detecting device or a devicefor detecting the presence of the enabling element 38. In response to asignal from this device or coding/detecting device, the control device18 or inhibiting means enables or does not enable the drive or electricmotor 22 so that the electric motor 22 can be set in operation by meansof the ON switch 56, as the case may be.

Provision is generally made to provide in the brush section or brushattachment 20 a data or information memory, in particular for digitalinformation, which then performs a wireless transmission or exchange ofdata, that is, without a conductive connection between the brush sectionand the handle section, with a data or information reader in the handlesection 10 of the electrical toothbrush.

FIGS. 3A to 5 show an embodiment of an electrical toothbrush accordingto the invention with wireless data transfer between brush section andhandle section, in which the presence of the respective brush attachment20 coupled to the handle section 10 or properties of the brushattachment 20 are detected or determined via digital signals. For thisreason the brush attachment 20 is equipped with a transponder 42 whichcan be bonded by an adhesive on or to the brush attachment 20 as in theform of a label referred to as smart label (FIG. 4). Advantageously, thetransponder 42 may also be contained in the colored slip-on ring 52 atthe end of the brush attachment 20 (FIGS. 3A and 3B and 5). Provided inthe handle section 10 is a detector or reading device 44 which is tunedto the transponder 42 and serves both as a signal transmitter and signalreceiver. The detector or reading device 44 in the handle section 10first transmits electromagnetic waves via the coil 46 to the coil 48connected to the transponder 42 in order to supply the transponder 42 orits microchip with energy for activation. The transponder 42 stores theenergy, is activated and transmits a specific, stored ID or signal ordata back to the detector or reading device 44, which receives said ID,signal or data, identifies it by means of an electronic evaluating unit50 and emits a corresponding signal to the control device 18 orinhibiting device 36 of the handle section 10. The coils 46 and 48 canbe operated as both a transmitter and receiver. In a preferredembodiment they are arranged opposite each other at the respective endsof the brush attachment 20 and the handle section 10 (see FIG. 5). Thebrush attachment 20 can be identified, or its presence on the handle 10recognized, by means of the ID or data sent back from the transponder42. In addition, handle section 10 includes a coupling portion 34 thatsecurely contacts mating coupling device 31, which is part of the brushattachment 20.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective representation of an embodiment of thehandle section 10. The handle section 10 has as subassemblies a gearing12 with drive shaft 16, a control device 18, an electric motor 22 ordrive, a power supply such as storage batteries 24 or batteries, and acharging module 28. The preferably water-tight housing 26 enclosing thehandle section 10 has been removed in the representation in FIG. 6. Themechanical coupling device 30 to effect coupling engagement between thebrush attachment 20 with its brush head 14 and the handle section 10 hasa coupling portion 32 on the drive shaft 16 and a coupling portion 34 onthe handle section 10. In the present embodiment the inhibiting device36, the reading device 44 and an electronic evaluating unit 50 are partof the control device 18, which can be configured as an ASIC, forexample, and includes a micro-controller or microprocessor and, whereapplicable, further electronic components or only one discrete circuit.It will be understood, of course, that the electronic components, thatis, the control device 18, the inhibiting device 36, the reading device44 and the electronic evaluating unit 50, can also be implemented bydiscrete electronic components if required.

Positioned underneath the coupling portion 34 and above the gearing 12is a coil 46 that is connected, via connecting lines not shown in FIG.6, to the control device 18 or the reading device 44 and to theelectronic evaluating unit 50. In the present embodiment this coil 46 ispositioned in the area of a swivel bearing 58 of the handle section 10,which bearing allows the drive shaft 16 to execute a special additionaldriving motion. For constructive design details, reference is made tothe patent application published as WO 98/01083.

From this representation of FIG. 6 as well as that of FIG. 7, showing onan enlarged scale the head end portion of the handle section 10 with thecoil 46, which varies in geometry and position from that in FIG. 6, itbecomes apparent that the turns of the coil 46 encompass or encloseessentially a longitudinal axis 72 of the handle section 10 or the axisof rotation of the drive shaft 16. Furthermore, from these FIGS. 6 and 7as well as from FIGS. 8 and 9 it can be seen that the winding plane orturn plane of the coil 46 is aligned essentially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis 72 or the axis of rotation. The individualconstruction and arrangement of the coil 46 depends not only on therequired coupling factors between the coil 46 of the handle section 10and the coil 48 of the brush attachment 20 but also on the geometricalfitting conditions in the area of the upper portion of the handlesection 10. Evidently, therefore, the turn area of the coil 46 can alsohave, for example, an angle other than a right angle relative to thelongitudinal axis 72. It is also possible to accommodate the coil 46 atother positions in the handle section 10 than those shown in theembodiments of FIGS. 6 to 9. The essential point is for the coil 46 tobe relatively adjacent or in close proximity to the area of themechanical coupling device 30 of the handle section 10 while giving dueconsideration to the individual fitting conditions and geometries.Ultimately the arrangement must be selected so that when the brushattachment 20 is properly mechanically coupled to the handle section 10the coupling of the coils 46, 48 or the coupling factor is such thatdata can be transferred between the brush attachment 20 and the handlesection 10. With regard to the turn area of the coil 46 it should benoted that said turn area should be chosen as large as possible, againwith due consideration to the geometry and fitting conditions on thehandle section 10 so that coupling with the enabling function or theenabling element 38 in the brush attachment is optimized or sufficient.

It should also be noted that according to the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and9 the coil is positioned at the axial height of a plastic sleeve orbearing 60 for the drive shaft 16 in relation to the longitudinal oraxis of rotation 72. This bearing 60 or the parts of the handle section10 positioned in the region of the turn area of the coil 46, for examplethe drive shaft 16 or other housing parts, can be constructed of ferriteor have constituents made of ferrite, so that this approach, too, cancontribute to improving coupling with the enabling element 38 orenabling function of the cleaning and brushing tool or brush attachment20.

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 show a partial view of the brush attachment 20,presenting among other things a special embodiment of the coupling endportion of the brush attachment 20. For better clarification of themechanical coupling only the drive shaft 16 is shown, omitting thecoupling portion 34 of the handle section 10. The brush attachment 20,in which the data or information memory or the enabling element 38 or anenabling function as, for example, a transponder 42, is accommodated,has a shank 40 that can be constructed as an elongated external mountingtube. Provided in the area of the coupling end of the brush attachment20 is an annular groove 68 for a colored slip-on ring 52 (FIG. 3), whichcan be part of a sleeve accommodated in the shank 40. Positioned in theshank 40 at the end close to the coupling is the sleeve, a profiled ring54 or the like, which has an opening for passage of the shaft 16 to bereceived in a receiving socket 66 of a plug-on shaft 62. Furthermore,the profiled ring 54 has a receiving socket 64 for the coupling portion34 of the handle section 10. The plug-on shaft 62 is in a drivingconnection with the brush head 14 of the brush attachment and transmitsthe driving motion of the drive shaft 16 of the handle section 10 to thebrush head 14. For pertinent details reference is made to German patentapplication 197 45 876.9, for example, which is hereby incorporated inthe disclosure content of the present application by express reference.

From FIGS. 10 to 12 it becomes furthermore apparent that a coil 48 whichcorresponds with the coil 46 on the handle section 10 is positioned orfixed on the outer wall of the profiled sleeve 54 in the area of the endportion of the brush attachment 20. The turns of the coil 48 encompassthe longitudinal axis 72 of the brush attachment 20 or the axis ofrotation of the plug-on shaft 62. The turn area of the coil 48 ispreferably aligned essentially at right angles to the longitudinal axis72, but can also enclose an angle other than a right angle with thelongitudinal axis 72, as is indicated by the broken line 84. The specialconstruction and arrangement of the coil 48 depends not only on thedesired coupling factor with the coil 46 in the handle section 10 butalso on the geometrical conditions of the components in the brushattachment 20 and can include in particular angular positions of theturn area ranging between about 40 degrees and 140 degrees relative tothe longitudinal axis 72.

The arrangement of the coil 48 at the profiled ring 54 or a sleevebecomes apparent from the schematic perspective representations of FIGS.13 and 14. The coil 48 is preferably arranged in the area of theprofiled sleeve 54 or profiled ring on the side close to the couplingend and encloses the outer wall of the profiled sleeve 54 in an annularconfiguration. It is also possible, of course, for the coil 48 to beinjection-molded in the plastic profiled sleeve 54 or for the coil 48 tobe fastened to the inner wall of the profiled sleeve 54. The data memoryor the enabling element 38, which is preferably constructed as atransponder 42, is coupled to the coil 48 either directly (FIG. 14A) orvia connecting lines 70. This transponder 42 is likewise fastened to theprofiled sleeve 54 or has the plastic material of the profiled sleeve 54injection-molded around it. Owing to the fact that all the componentsrequired for the non-contacting detection of the enabling element or forthe data transfer are arranged on or at a separate component of thebrush attachment 20, which can be snappingly engaged as with the shank40, it is possible to test the operation of the enabling element 38 ortransponder 42 or coil 48 before assembly or final assembly of the brushattachment 20. FIG. 14B shows another embodiment of the brush attachment20 or arrangement of the coil 48. In this embodiment the coil 48 isfastened to the tube or shank 40 of the brush attachment 20, preferablyto the outer wall. In detail, in the area of the mating coupling deviceor in a lower end area facing away from the brush head 14 the coil iswound onto the tube 40. The terminals of the coil 48 are connected tothe transponder not shown in FIG. 14B.

FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 show in another representation the arrangement andposition of the parts of the brush attachment 20 required for theenabling function. As such FIGS. 15 to 17 show only the ring, sleeve orprofiled sleeve 54 and a part of the plug-on shaft 62 of the brushattachment 20. Again it can be seen that the coil 48 encloses theprofiled sleeve 54 in an essentially annular, particularly circular-ringshaped configuration, and is fastened to an outer wall of the profiledring 54. FIG. 15 also shows the relative arrangement of transponder 42,connecting line 70 and coil 48.

FIG. 18 shows a partial view of the mechanically coupled handle section10 and the brush attachment 20. In this embodiment the coil 48 ispositioned in the end portion of the shank 40, with the transponder 42and the connecting lines 70 being arranged on the inner wall of thetubular shank 40, for example. The coil 46 on the handle section 10 isset slightly further inside than in the previous embodiments and isconnected via connecting lines 78 to the control device 18 or theinhibiting device 36 or the reading device 44 or the electronicevaluating unit 50. To improve the coupling factor between the coil 46and the coil 48 it is possible to provide ferrite bodies 74, 76 in thehandle section 10 and/or the brush attachment 20, which thus improve thecoupling factor between the coils 46, 48 and permit where necessary abigger constructively predetermined gap between the coils 46, 48.

From this showing, too, it becomes apparent that the coils 46, 48enclose with their turns the longitudinal axis 72 or axis of rotation,and further that preferably the turn area of the coils 46, 48 isarranged essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 72.

Basically it is possible for the coils 46, 48 to be positioned in anyposition on the handle section 10 and, respectively, the brushattachment 20, provided adequate coupling between the coils 46, 48exists when the brush attachment 20 is mechanically coupled correctly tothe handle section 10 so that the control device provided in the handlesection 10 can communicate with or receive data from the enablingelement 38 or transponder 42 provided in the brush attachment 20 via anelectric and/or magnetic, in particular inductive coupling.

FIG. 19 shows in a schematic block diagram the handle section 10 and thebrush attachment 20, which are interconnectable via a mechanicalcoupling device 30 to establish a driving connection. In addition, thebrush attachment 20 and the handle section 10 are in a condition ofnon-contacting data transfer or communication exchange via an electric,magnetic or electromagnetic, in particular inductive coupling 82 whenthe brush attachment 20 is mechanically coupled to the handle section10. The basic architecture of a control device 18 or a reading device 44as well as of the enabling element 38 or transponder 42 is generallyknown. In this context, reference is made to the text book“RFID-Handbuch, Grundlagen and praktische Anwendung induktiverkontaktloser Chipkarten” by Klaus Finkenzeller, 2nd edition, November1999, Karl Hansa Verlag Munchen, ISBN 3-446-2278-7, in particular tochapter 3, which is hereby incorporated in the disclosure content of thepresent application by express reference. Provided in the handle section10 is the control device 18 with reading device 44, which includes thecoil 46, a capacitor as resonant circuit and a generator that operatesthis resonant circuit at roughly its resonant frequency, for example inthe range of between 13 and 14 megahertz, for example at 13.56 megahertzor also at 125 kilohertz, plus or minus 10 kilohertz. Connected to thiscircuit arrangement is the electronic evaluating unit 50 whose signals,amplified if necessary by means of an amplifier, are fed to theinhibiting device 36. Further signals can be fed to the inhibitingdevice 36 as input values if so required. An output signal of thisinhibiting device 36 is used to enable or inhibit the drive of thehandle section 10 of the toothbrush, depending on whether the presenceof the enabling element 38 of the brush attachment 20 is detected asbeing mechanically coupled correctly to the handle section 10 or acorresponding data transfer has taken place or not.

Provided in or on the brush section or brush attachment 20 is the coil48, to which a capacitor is connected. The two components likewise forma resonant circuit which is tuned to the transmit or resonant frequencyof the resonant circuit of the reading device 44. Also provided are arectifier, for example, a diode, and an energy storage device, forexample, a capacitor, which supply the transponder 42, which is of thepassive type in the present embodiment, with the energy necessary tooperate the transponder, drawn from the high-frequency electromagneticfield radiated by the coil 46. It is also possible for amicro-controller 80 to be provided in the transponder 42, which at leastpartly opens and closes a switching device inserted parallel to theresonant circuit capacitor or coil 48, for example, a FET, as a loadresistor of the transponder resonant circuit. The clock frequency ofthese opening and closing cycles can lie, for example, in the 1 kHz to100 kHz range, for example, at about 5 kHz, about 20 kHz or at about 212kHz. By providing for switching on and off (modulating) of the loadresistor in the transponder 42 at a clock frequency lying far below theresonant frequency, there arise in the reading device 44 sidebandsadjacent to the transmit or resonant frequency of the resonant circuitof the reading device 44, which can be readily detected with a bandpassfilter, for example, resulting in an improved signal-to-noise ratio. Itis also possible, preferably at low clock frequencies in the rangebetween 1 kHz and 50 kHz, to use an envelope demodulator or the like fordemodulation. With this clock frequency it is also possible to transmita multiplicity of data from the transponder 42 to the reading device 44,the data being defined by the clock rate or pulse train, the pulse dutyfactor or the pulse repetition frequency. Ultimately these approachesamount to a load modulation by means of a subcarrier on the transponder42, as the result of which the reaction of the transponder 42 to thereading device 44 can be simply and easily detected by means of knowndemodulation processes (for example, amplitude shift keying (ASK) withand without sideband). For further details reference is made to thepreviously mentioned RFID manual. Furthermore, the reading device willhave to be adapted accordingly if there is no load modulation of thetransponder resonant circuit and the phase (phase shift keying) orfrequency (frequency shift keying) is modulated.

Data for implementing advantageous embodiments of the transfer systembetween the brush attachment 20 and the handle section 10 will be givenbelow by way of example. With a view to obtaining practicable couplingfactors between the data memory in the brush attachment and the datareader in the handhold it has proven advantageous for the coils 46, 48connected to the data memory and data reader for the wireless transferof data to be arranged at a geometrical position roughly in the lowerthird of the shank 40 of the brush attachment 20 at the coupling end andin the upper quarter of the housing 26 of the handle section 10 at thecoupling end. The closer the two coils 46, 48 are arranged relative toeach other when the handle section and brush attachment are properlycoupled, the easier it is to achieve the required coupling factors. Thecoupling factors are also dependent on the projection of the congruentturn areas of the two coils 46, 48. As such it makes sense for theinclination of the turn areas of the coils relative to the longitudinalaxis 72 or axis of rotation of the brush section and handle section notto deviate by more than about 50 degrees from the common, optimalright-angled position. Preferably, the turns of the coils 46, 48encompass or enclose the longitudinal axis 72 or axis of rotation of thehandle section and the brush section, thereby achieving an adequatecoupling between the coils 46, 48 in addition to enabling ageometrically practicable installation site to be chosen in the brushsection and/or the handle section. The coils themselves can beconventional, wire-wound coils, with the exemplary data for coil 46being about 10, plus or minus 3 turns at a turn diameter of about 15,plus or minus 3 mm and a wire thickness of about 0.1 mm. The inductancecan lie in the range of 2 μH, approximately, and the ohmic resistance inthe range of 1 ohm. For coil 48, 15 plus or minus 4 turns at a turndiameter of 9 plus or minus 2 mm and a wire thickness of, for example,0.06 mm can be provided. The inductance then lies in the range of about2 μH to about 8 μH, preferably at about 5 μH at an ohmic resistance ofthe coil of about 1 ohm to about 10 ohm, preferably about 4 ohm. It willbe understood, of course, that the coils 46, 48 can be constructed asconventional wire-wound coils or, alternatively, in the form of turnsprinted, for example, on a flexible plastic foil or on the transponderchip itself. The coupling of the two coils 46, 48 with properlymechanically coupled handle section and brush section can lie between 1percent and 8 percent, preferably at about 5 percent, the coupling ofthe coils 46, 48 being primarily of the inductive type in the presentembodiment and with the frequencies in the two-digit MHz range thereinemployed. The diameter of the coils should not be less than 3 mm,approximately. The previously mentioned data, given by way of example,for the dimensions and geometrical configuration of the coils does notapply to the use of ferrite bodies 74, 76 in accordance with FIG. 18.When allowance is made for such ferrite bodies 74, 76 for improving thecoupling of the coils 46, 48 the above data can be modified accordingly.The quality factor of the transponder resonant circuit should be betweenabout 5 and 15, preferably between about 8 and 10, in order to minimizethe dependence on tolerance-related fluctuations of the resonantfrequency, particularly with regard to the phase shift. The qualityfactor is defined, among other things, by the wire thickness of the coil48.

The data or information memory of the brush section, in particulartransponder 42, and the data or information reader 44 in the handhold ofthe electrical toothbrush are commercially available as standard itemsin a wide variety of different specifications. For pertinent detailsreference is again made to the previously mentioned RFID manual. It isalso possible, of course, to include the data reader 44 in auser-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) provided in the handle sectionof the toothbrush.

LIST OF REFERENCES

-   -   10 handle section    -   12 gearing    -   14 brush head    -   16 drive shaft    -   18 control device, control function (with microprocessor, etc.)    -   20 brush attachment, brush section    -   22 electric motor, drive mechanism    -   24 storage battery    -   26 housing    -   28 charging module    -   30 coupling device    -   31 mating coupling device    -   32 coupling portion    -   34 coupling portion    -   36 operation inhibiting device, operation inhibiting function        (part of 18)    -   38 enabling element, enabling function    -   40 shank, tube    -   42 transponder    -   44 reading device, reading function (part of 18)    -   46 coil (handle section)    -   48 coil (brush attachment)    -   50 electronic evaluating unit, evaluating function (part of 18)    -   52 slip-on ring    -   54 profiled ring, profiled sleeve    -   56 ON switch, switch-on function    -   58 swivel bearing, swivel axis    -   60 bearing    -   62 plug-on shaft    -   64 receiving socket (for 34)    -   66 receiving socket (for 32)    -   68 annular groove (for 52)    -   70 connecting line    -   72 longitudinal axis, axis of rotation    -   74 ferrite body    -   76 ferrite body    -   78 connecting line    -   80 microcontroller    -   82 inductive coupling    -   84 line

1. An electric toothbrush, comprising: a handle; a first coil arrangedwithin or on the handle, wherein when energized the first coil emitselectromagnetic wave energy; a brush attachment, sized for use in anoral cavity, that couples to the handle, the brush attachment comprisinga bristle section; a second coil arranged within or on the brushattachment, wherein the second coil can receive electromagnetic waveenergy emitted by the first coil of the handle when the brush attachmentis coupled to the handle; and an electric motor operatively coupled tothe brush attachment to move the bristle section when the brushattachment is coupled to the handle.
 2. The electric toothbrush of claim1, wherein the motor oscillates the bristle section.
 3. The electrictoothbrush of claim 2, wherein the motor oscillates the bristle sectionat a frequency of about 100 to about 400 Hz.
 4. The electric toothbrushof claim 2, wherein the motor oscillates the bristle section about anaxis of rotation through an angle of from about plus or minus 10 degreesto about plus or minus 60 degrees.
 5. The electric toothbrush of claim1, further comprising a shaft having a first end operatively connectedto the motor and a second end that operatively connects to the brushattachment when the brush attachment is coupled to the handle.
 6. Theelectric toothbrush of claim 5, wherein the first coil is in the shapeof a ring having a hole therethrough.
 7. The electric toothbrush ofclaim 6, wherein the shaft extends through the hole in the first coil.8. The electric toothbrush of claim 5, wherein the second coil is in theshape of a ring having a hole therethrough.
 9. The electric toothbrushof claim 7, wherein the shaft extends through the hole in the secondcoil.
 10. The electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the handle furthercomprises a first annular body arranged to improve a coupling factor ofthe first coil.
 11. The electric toothbrush of claim 10 wherein thefirst annular body comprises ferrite.
 12. The electric toothbrush ofclaim 1, wherein the brush attachment further comprises a second annularbody arranged to improve a coupling factor of the second coil.
 13. Theelectric toothbrush of claim 12, wherein the second annular bodycomprises ferrite.
 14. The electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein thebrush attachment further comprises an electric element that is poweredby the second coil.
 15. The electric toothbrush of claim 14, wherein theelectric element is connected to the second coil by a connecting line.16. The electric toothbrush of claim 14, wherein the electric elementcomprises at least one of a capacitor, a diode, a micro-controller, arectifier, a resistor, and a transponder.
 17. The electric toothbrush ofclaim 14, wherein the electric element transmits a signal to the firstcoil.
 18. The electric toothbrush of claim 17, wherein the electricelement modulates the signal to transmit information to the first coil.19. The electric toothbrush of claim 14, wherein the electric elementcomprises a resistor.
 20. The electric toothbrush of claim 14, whereinthe electric element comprises a capacitor that forms a resonant circuitwith the second coil.
 21. The electric toothbrush of claim 14, whereinthe electric element is spaced axially from the second coil along alongitudinal axis of the brush attachment.
 22. The electric toothbrushof claim 14, wherein the handle further comprises an electronic controldevice that controls one or more operating parameters of the electrictoothbrush.
 23. The electric toothbrush of claim 22, wherein theelectronic control device comprises a micro-controller ormicroprocessor.
 24. The electric toothbrush of claim 22, wherein theelectronic control device controls operation of the electric motor. 25.The electric toothbrush of claim 24, wherein the electronic controldevice controls the speed of the electric motor.
 26. The electrictoothbrush of claim 22, wherein the electronic control devicecommunicates with the electric element of the brush attachment via thefirst and second coils.
 27. The electric toothbrush of claim 26, whereinthe electronic control device controls the one or more operatingparameters of the electric toothbrush in response to a signal from theelectric element.
 28. The electric toothbrush of claim 22, wherein theelectronic control device supplies a signal to the electric element ofthe brush attachment.
 29. The electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein aturn area of the first coil is arranged at or about at a right angle toa longitudinal axis of the handle.
 30. The electric toothbrush of claim29, wherein a turn area of the second coil is arranged at or about at aright angle to a longitudinal axis of the brush attachment.
 31. Theelectric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the second coil convertselectromagnetic wave energy received from the first coil to electricalenergy.
 32. The electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the second coilis positioned to be spaced apart from the first coil when the brushattachment is coupled to the handle.
 33. The electric toothbrush ofclaim 1, wherein the bristle section comprises a plurality of individualbristles.
 34. The electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the first coilcomprises at least one turn that encompasses a longitudinal axis of thehandle.
 35. The electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein a turn area ofthe first coil is arranged at angle of about 40 degrees to about 140degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the handle.
 36. The electrictoothbrush of claim 1, wherein the second coil comprises at least oneturn that encompasses a longitudinal axis of the brush attachment. 37.The electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein a turn area of the secondcoil is arranged at angle of about 40 degrees to about 140 degreesrelative to a longitudinal axis of the brush attachment.
 38. Theelectric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first coiland the second coil comprises a part of a radio-frequency-identificationdevice.